Source: March 2020 Week 3, The Wine Advocate; Issue Date: 16th Mar 2020 (RP-98)

Composed of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and a 1% splash of Petit Verdot, the 2017 Montrose wine was run off into 60% new and 40% one-year old barrels where it was aged for 18 months. The grand vin represented 37% of the estate?s total production. Deep garnet-purple in color, the nose takes some time to unfurl before revealing an impressively flamboyant core of black cherry preserves, warm cassis and baked plums with hints of red currant jelly, dark chocolate, licorice, cardamom and chargrill plus a gentle waft of candied violets. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has fantastic intensity with a very elegant, modest weight, featuring super-ripe, finely-grained tannins and tons of freshness to lift and show-off a stunning array of gorgeous black fruit and fragrant sparks, finishing very long and refined. This is an incredibly classy, poised and sophisticated Montrose!
Drink Date 2022 – 2060

Source: jamessuckling.com. Issue Date: December 20, 2020 (JS-97)

Extremely aromatic with currant, wild-herb and fresh-violet aromas. This is regal cabernet sauvignon at its finest. The palate has unwaveringly long and defined tannins that carry such fresh, piercingly pure, redcurrant and cassis flavors. A twin to the superb 2015? A blend of 76% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot.

Source: Winemaker,

Chateau MONTROSE 2017
Main characteristics of the vintage

The year started with a mild and dry winter, marked by 2 weeks of cold at the end of January. The temperatures remained mild in the spring, allowing uniform bud burst as from 29 March. An early vintage seemed likely, but the growth cycle slowed down at the end of April under the influence of cooler temperatures. The Gironde estuary then played its essential role of thermal regulator during the 3 consecutive days of frost, which spared our vineyard.

The summer-like conditions in May and June favoured uniform flowering. (Full flowering on 29 May). The vine calmly continued its development, without any particular pressure from disease, an undeniable advantage in the management of our 45 hectares under organic viticulture. The rainy spell at the end of June led to the start of veraison on 21 July. After a dry and temperate summer, the September rains accelerated the ripening process. Full ripeness of the 4 grape varieties was therefore achieved in a very short time. Harvest took place under ideal conditions. The team of around a hundred pickers worked within the plots, in a very smoothly run operation. This precision work was reflected in the cellar, recently equipped with more than 90 small-capacity vats. Extraction was gentle and maceration slightly shorter than last year. For our blends, we have a rich aromatic palette of 82 batches of classic free-run wines, fully expressing their terroir, along with 9 batches of press wine giving us the possibility to adjust the tannic density of our wines with extreme precision. The climate of 2017 was particularly favourable for our Cabernet Sauvignons. This year they make up 76% of the Grand Vin blend, giving this vintage a very classic profile.

Period of harvest: From September 12th to September 29th

Blending: Cabernet Sauvignon : 76%, Merlot : 20%, Cabernet Franc : 3%, Petit Verdot : 1%

Tasting notes
The colour is deep and shiny. The complex nose has a beautiful aromatic intensity of raspberry, blackberry, blackcurrant and black cherry accompanied by floral and mineral notes. The powerful and balanced structure reveals the purity of the fruit. The mouth, full and elegant, is marked by the persistence of a juicy fruit and reveals supple and mellow tannins. A vintage that perfectly reflects the signature of its terroir and has a very good ageing potential.